Pacquiao, Margarito teams trade accusations minutes before fight

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - Both the teams of Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and Mexican “Tijuana Tornado” have accused each other of unfair practices minutes before the fighters face off at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

A minor scuffle even ensued between coaches Freddie Roach and Robert Garcia.

ABS-CBN News correspondent Dyan Castillejo reported that Roach saw Team Margarito put a white substance in the water bottle of the Mexican boxer.

The fight will still continue, but Pacquiao’s coach wants his foe tested for “ephedrine” later after the match.

Garcia, on the other hand, complained about not seeing the wrapping of Pacquiao’s hands.

Members of the Filipino boxer’s team said it has already been a practice that he wraps his own hands before a match.

They said Margarito’s team is just playing mind games.

Margarito was earlier suspended from boxing after an illegal insert was found in his knuckle pads.

Analysts see a Pacquiao win through a stoppage early in the game, although some fear his weight might become a problem.

Pacquiao, who weighed in at 144.6 lbs. on Friday (Saturday in Manila), will have to contend against Margarito’s size advantage. He is now at 148 lbs.

The Mexican tipped the scales at an even 150 lbs to make their agreed catch weight limit. He now weighs 165 lbs.